Ian Comfort

Ian Comfort CEO of AET
Born	May 1953
Education	Open University Mathematics, University of Law, Postgraduate Diploma in Law, Plymouth University, Master of Laws
Occupation	Educationalist

During his career Ian Comfort has been a maths teacher, a leader of the London local authority and has combined this with active work as a barrister of the Inner Temple. In 2012 he became the CEO of Academies Enterprise Trust, which at that time was the largest Multi-Academy Trust in England. Prior to joining AET (Academies Enterprise Trust) in 2009, Ian Comfort, was the Chief Executive of Edutrust, a Multi-academy Trust which was renamed as E-ACT in 2010. Ian left E-ACT (now called Edutrust Academies Charitable Trust) under controversial circumstances. His contract was ended amidst Trust accusations of 'poor performance' whilst he himself counter-claimed that he was being victimised for being a whistleblower. The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum, following a significant period of being at home on full salary.

Ian Comfort began his teaching career as a Maths teacher and progressed to become a Director of a Local Education Authority before becoming the Chief Operating Officer for the Ark Academies Chain Joining AET in 2009 Ian Comfort was initially Group Secretary and General Counsel. Following the retirement of David Triggs, the previous CEO in Sept 2013, AET posted the notice of Ian Comfort's appointment as interim CEO on 2 April 2014. Shortly after Unity City Academy had been OFSTED graded down from good to Inadequate it was announced via press release at AET Mr Comfort is to leave in the Spring Term 2017 to be replaced by Julian Drinkall formerly CEO of the Alpha-Plus Group.

As CEO of Academies Enterprise Trust Ian Comfort is also CEO of London Academies Enterprise Trust which is a subsidiary trust within the AET family, containing 4 secondary schools.

In June 2015 Ian Comfort was reported as earning £220,000 per annum, which was the second highest pay of CEOs in England leading Multi-Academy Trusts In 2013 concerns were expressed nationally about the fact that he had received £329,000 in addition to his salary for "project management services". This contributed to criticism of the Department for Education for allowing "related party payments" within Academy Trusts.

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